Sam would like to earn twenty bucks a pop just like his older sister, but Sam is too young to mow lawns. How can Sam earn some money? He starts out by caring for his neighbor’s chickens while she is away and taking another neighbor for a walk to see the chickens. All of this leads to his desire to own his own chicken. Sam learns some financial lessons along the way.

This beginning chapter book includes sketches of his diverse classmates and neighbors throughout the story. It is a light-hearted story and the first in the Sam the Man series.

This fantasy book takes place is pseudo-New Orleans. It follows the story of teenager Yonie Watereye as she tries to find out the truth of her parents’ mysterious death. The magic in this novel is called Guile: Yonie’s cat, LaRue, has Guile along with other objects, i. e., a locket or a shield. Yonie revisits old and new family members and acquires friends along the way.

The character Yonie felt too much like a stereotyped teenage bookworm. However, LaRue was portrayed as an exciting cat that the reader would like to travel with. The mystery of the the novel was intriguing and the ending of the story was very satisfying. All in all, this book was a good read that would appeal to those who enjoy fantasy and mystery stories.

— Faith E.

Twelve year old Maisie’s grandmother owns a boarding house in Victorian London.  Maisie helps clean and views herself as an amateur detective.  In this 4th book of her adventures, a rare, feathered mask has disappeared from the collection of tenant Professor Tobin.  As Maisie begins to piece together clues, the astute reader can also identify the likely thief.  An interesting twist at the end tells why the mask is so valued.  These mystery stories contain enough twists and turns to captivate budding detectives and problem solvers.  These books do not need to be read in order.

Loula loves her Great Dane, Mister.  Mister is large, unruly, clumsy, messy, energetic, and always hungry.  One day, Loula overhears Mama saying, “I can’t live with that… that Monster any more!”  Loula believes she is talking about Mister and attempts to teach Mister some good manners before Mama “will throw you out like an old pair of shoes!”  Her efforts fall far short so she enlists the aid of Gilbert, the family chauffeur.  Not surprisingly, Mister happily continues being boisterous.  After a disasterous adventure with a squirrel and a museum, they reluctantly return home.  Mama wondered where they had been.  She then asked Loula to hold the door so she could throw out a plant – a monsterous Venus Fly Trap!  Terrific ink and watercolor illustrations are humorous and provide many comic details to the story.  This would make a great read-aloud.  There are many opportunities for discussions about manners and predictions.

This nonfiction book on scorpions for emergent readers has fascinating photographs.  The text is large and well chosen to go with the detailed photos.  Young readers learn about behavior, appearance, and habitat of these incredibly adaptive arachnids.  This is an engaging book – a sure hit with those with a love for arachnids and insects.

Books in this series begin with true/false statements.  The answers are found within the pages and also in the back.  Camouflage simply means using a disguise to help a creature to hide from predators.  However, sometimes camouflage also helps animals sneak up on their prey.  Animals use mimicry, coloration, behavior, physical appearance, and shape as a means to hide.  Photos fill about half the page and are well chosen to illustrate the informative text.  Over 30 animals, insects, sea creatures, reptiles, birds, and even people, are depicted using camouflage.  Words in bold text are defined in context as well as in the glossary.  Additional facts, resources, an index, and a paragraph about the author are included.  This is a terrific resource for any collection.

Webster is a dog who has returned to the shelter after his third unsuccessful attempt at adoption.  He has decided to go the way of the free, independent cowboy: no friends, no attachments to people, no cozy home – a loner through and through.  He calls himself “Bad Hat”.  No matter how gruff Webster tries to be, the other animals in the shelter are friendly, encouraging, and hopeful that everyone will find a “forever family”.  Webster makes an escape one stormy night to continue his life as an outsider.  During his adventures, he rescues a drowning man, saves a toddler in traffic, defends a child from bullies, and brings a litter of kittens to the shelter.  “Bad Hat” is not the best name for this reluctant hero!  Throughout the book, there is mention on the importance of pet adoption and rescue groups.

Fourth grade Krystal is a psychic but only her friends, Claire and Billy, know of her ability.  After a collision with Billy, Krystal discovers she can now also hear what animals are saying!  The chapters are short and the sentences are simple.  This book is the 4th in the series but they do not need to be read in order.  Although Krystal is in the fourth grade, this book will be more enjoyed by younger readers.  Illustrations are cartoon-like in black and white.  In the back are horoscopes and instructions for making a paper fortune-teller.  Included is a website containing videos, contests, games, and puzzles.

In this fantasy/sci-fi novel, teenager Nadia is an outcast because she is the dyer’s daughter (one who dyes clothes). In the town of Canaan where Nadia lives, a wall surrounds the town; no one is allowed to venture past this wall, but Nadia climbs over the wall every night to find out what is really behind the structure. Every twelve years in the city of Canaan, everyone forgets everything about who they were and everything that has ever happened. The only way to remember is to record things in “your book” which is always on one’s person. Nadia is the only person in Canaan who can remember the past. Nadia knows that someone has replaced her book with a false one. Who replaced her book and why did they replaced it?!!

The pacing of the story was a bit slow, but the variety of characters keeps the story interesting. The story begins seemingly as a regular fantasy, but half-way through, the plot develops into a sci-fi story. When the sci-fi elements appear in the book, it answers a lot of misconceptions which gives the reader a new insight into the city and its residents. The concept of the book itself is very intriguing; the subject matter of memory is fascinating. Nadia is portrayed as a very strong protagonist. This book will appeal to teens who like fantasy, sci-fi and suspense.

–Charlotte H.

In this realistic fiction novel, seventeen-year-old Katie’s grandmother comes to live with her, her brother and her mom due to Alzheimer’s disease. A journey of self-discovery for all three women occurs as a result of her grandmother’s disease. During this process, Katie realizes that she is gay.

In this touching book, the three main characters are portrayed in a very realistic way and the reader can relate to them. The plot does not read in a straight timeline; it jumps back and forth from the present to the past. The author’s style of enthralling writing is clear and concise and easy to read. This novel would appeal to those struggling with parental relationships and those who are dealing with loved-ones with Alzheimer’s. This book will also be appreciated by those who are questioning their sexual identity. I highly suggest that everyone (teens and up) read this book.

— Faith E.

In this futuristic, yet realistic, novel, teenage Liberty goes to live with her grandmother after her mom is sent to prison. Liberty moves into a small impoverished town. In a very cliche high school, Liberty gets a boyfriend, makes enemies and friends. Also, the town has a company that is excavating the top of a mountain for coal. As Liberty settles into her new life, she discovers that the digging of the mountain and the air pollution that is created because of this digging is causing the towns folk to become sick. When her grandmother becomes sick, Liberty struggles to manage school, her grandmother’s health and the taking down of the excavation company.

This books deals with issues that are not usually found in a YA novel: cancer, poverty, and pollution. Liberty is portrayed as a very strong character; one that is trying to do it all. The reader will react compassionately to the events and resolutions of each of the main issues. The writing is thought-provoking; it connects the reader with different aspects of society compared to what a teen reader normally reads. Also, if the reader does live in a town such as Liberty, then he/she will feel that they are not alone. This compelling book will have the readers look at society in a different light.

— Natalie S.